Amarillo ranks 14th in the state in the number of deaths related to aggressive driving with 15 such deaths in 1996, or 8.55 deaths per 100,000 residents. The troubling aspect of these numbers is Amarillo, which ranked 73rd in the nation for deaths per 100,000 residents, ranked higher than much larger cities such as San Antonio, Houston, El Paso and the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Corpus Christi had the highest rate in the state at 11.38 deaths per 100,000.

On a state scale, Oklahoma ranked fifth in the nation with 448 deaths attributed to aggressive driving in 1996, which represented 13.6 deaths per 100,000 residents. South Carolina was ranked first with 15.1 deaths related to aggressive driving per 100,000 in 1996. New Mexico was sixth at 12.9 deaths per 100,000 people.

Aggressive driving is not limited to acts of road rage, which often result in violence. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration defines aggressive driving as speeding, tailgating, improper lane changes and running stop signals.

The reasoning behind the rates for Amarillo, Oklahoma and New Mexico include a lack of public transportation, an expanse of highways and smaller levels of congestion that can slow traffic speed.

Whatever the reasons, the numbers are alarming and represent a disturbing trend on the area's roads and highways.

Fortunately, there are positive aspects to the report. Possible solutions to the problem are not difficult to identify - obey existing traffic laws, drive defensively rather than aggressively and, perhaps most importantly, slow down.

Being a few minutes late to work is a much better alternative than ending up as another traffic fatality statistic.